Raw - February 9th 1998

Raw opens with Sunny dressed as Marilyn Monroe, singing 'Happy Birthday' to Freddie Blassie.

A video package on Blassie airs, wishing him a happy 80th birthday.

A recap is played of events last week between "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and the WWF Champion, Shawn Michaels. Michael Cole says "tonight, there will be "Stone Cold" hell to pay."

The Raw opening sequence plays.

Raw is in Evansville, Indiana. Jim Ross, Michael Cole and Kevin Kelly are on commentary.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin makes his way to the ring, carrying a white bag. Austin tells Shawn Michaels he "doesn't come out on national television, and rub a damn belt" in Austin's face. Austin says at No way Out he "wants a piece of Michaels ass." In fact he "doesn't want to wait that long", so Austin challenges Michaels to come to the ring now.

Degeneration X (WWF Champion - Shawn Michaels, Triple H and Chyna) appear on the big screen. They are in their locker room. Michaels is laughing. Michaels mock Austin for what happened last week. Michaels says he punked Austin out "like a dog." Michaels tells Austin he doesn't call the shots around here, Michaels does. If Austin wants a piece of Michaels, he will only get it when Michaels says so. Michaels says if Austin can give him one good reason to come out to the ring, he will; and he will "slap the taste right out of Austin's mouth, once again." Austin says he knows Michaels won't come out "for the hell of it," because Austin will "beat his damn ass." Michaels feigns fear. Austin tells Michaels he has a reason for Michaels to come out to the ring - Austin has Michaels WWF Championship belt. Michaels looks for his belt and realises it has been replaced with a toy replica. That was funny.

Austin takes the WWF Championship belt out of the bag he brought with him, and holds it aloft.

DX are furious. Michaels calls Austin a thief and tells him he's "a dead man." Austin says he will be there all night, and if Michaels wants it back he can "bring his ass to the ring," and Austin will give it back to him if Michaels "asks real nice." Austin's music hits and he leaves. This whole segment was quality.

The commentators hype upcoming footage of the WrestleMania press conference which will reveal Mike Tyson's role at WrestleMania. An ad for the Raw Varsity jacket airs.

Sunny makes her way to the ring. She is the guest ring announcer for the next match. Please no midgets, please no midgets. Phew, the Legion Of Doom (Road Warrior Hawk and Road Warrior Animal) enter. Hawk has both mohawks back. We see a recap of what happened when the L.O.D. faced Jeff Jarrett and Barry Windham two weeks ago on Raw. Jarrett and Windham won following interference from the rest of the NWA members. Kevin Kelly says the L.O.D. have been on "an incredible losing streak." The NWA North American Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Jarrett and Barry Windham enter, with Jim Cornette and the NWA World Tag Team Champions, The Rock 'N' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson).

The WrestleMania press conference is hyped again, as is a match later tonight - Ken Shamrock & Chainz VS Faarooq & Intercontinental Champion, The Rock. Jim Ross says that somewhere tonight Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels will cross paths.

Legion Of Doom (Road Warrior Hawk & Road Warrior Animal) VS Jeff Jarrett & Barry Windham (with Jim Cornette, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson)

Hawk and Windham start it out. Kevin Kelly says the L.O.D. are learning it's hard to win in tag team action in the WWF now with just two people. Hawk takes control with brawling and a sloppy Thesz press. Jarrett and Animal tag in. Animal hits some power moves. Windham distracts Animal and Jarrett knocks him outside to the floor. Windham clotheslines Animal on the floor while the referee is distracted. Back in the ring. Jarrett is in control. He tags in Windham for a double elbow. Jim Ross is really hyping up how the L.O.D. are not what they used to be. Windham lays in kicks in the corner and hits a suplex with a nice roll through for a two count. Kevin Kelly says the talk in the locker room is that no one finds the L.O.D. intimidating anymore. Jarrett tags in, and Animal reserves a back body drop into a cradle for a two count. Animal small packages Jarrett, but Windham breaks it up before tagging in. Ross says the NWA should be keeping an eye out for Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw. Animal ducks a lariet and hits a powerslam. Both men make the tag. Hawk takes control with chops and a spinning neck breaker. All four men enter the ring and brawl. Animal sends Windham over the top rope to the floor. The L.O.D. double team Jarrett. Jarrett avoids a Hawk spear in the corner, and Hawk hits the ring post before falling to the floor.  Cornette nails Hawk in the back with his tennis racket, and The Rock 'N' Roll Express  drop him knees first into the steel ring steps before rolling him back into the ring. While Animal works on Windham in the corner, Jarrett applies the figure four leg lock on Hawk. Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw hits the ring and Jarrett and Windham flee. The bell rings, awarding the disqualification victory to Jarrett and Windham at around  4 minutes 30 seconds. Bradshaw attacks The Rock 'N' Roll Express and the chases Jarrett and Windham up the entranceway.

ANALYSIS: So  L.O.D., a tag team who's whole gimmick is no-selling ass kickers, are now hopeless? Right. At least they progressed Bradshaw's feud with the NWA. 1/2*

Michael Cole says DX have a plan to get the WWF Championship belt back. Raw goes to a break. A video package airs hyping No Way Out on pay-per-view this Sunday, focusing on the Eight Man Tag Team Match main event.

We are shown footage of DX formulating a plan to get Michaels WWF Championship belt back from Steve Austin. Apparently it involves Chyna.

The Quebecers (Jacques and Pierre) enter. Jacques is carrying a slop bucket. We are shown a recap from Shotgun Saturday Night, when The Godwinns cost The Quebecers a match against Los Boricuas. The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas) enter. Michael Cole says The Godwinns will face The Quebecers at No Way Out. As it stands, I'm figuring this to be a heel VS heel match. Another recap from Shotgun Saturday Night airs, showing The Quebecers attacking The Godwinns and causing them to lose to the other half of Los Boricuas.

Henry Godwinn (with Phineas Godwinn) VS Pierre (with Jacques)

The two brawl early. Henry hits a big clothesline out of the corner. Pierre hits a clothesline of his own after Henry blocked a hip toss. Pierre throws Henry out to the floor and does a running dive onto him. Nice move. Henry barely caught him. Back in the ring, Pierre hits a side slam. Pierre goes to the top rope and hits a leg drop; another impressive move for a man of his size. Pierre applies a chin lock. Henry breaks it and attempts to rally; but Pierre catches him with a knee to the gut, followed by a slam. Pierre goes up top again an attempts a cannonball. Henry moves out of the way and avoids it. Henry takes control with fists and a big back body drop. Henry works on Pierre's left knee, before clotheslining Pierre over the top rope and onto the floor. Henry runs the ropes as Pierre climbs back in, but Jacques grabs Henry's foot and trips him. Henry attempts to grab Jacques, who hits Henry in the head with the slop bucket while the referee is distracted by Phineas. Jim Ross calls the bucket shot a chair shot. Phineas chases Jacques into the ring. As the referee is distracted by Jacques, Pierre makes the cover. Phineas hits Pierre with a weak looking shot to the head with his own slop bucket. Henry makes the cover for the three count victory, before Jacques can make the save, at around 4 minutes 30 seconds.

ANALYSIS: I enjoyed this match. Pierre was definitely an underrated talent and he performed some impressive flying moves here for a man of his size. It's another match built for No Way Out and was a decent mini-angle. Pierre definitely worked heel here, so I'm guessing this is the beginning of a Godwinns face turn. *3/4

Backstage, Chyna is looking for some help in recovering the WWF Championship belt. She approaches Los Boricuas (Savio Vega, Jesus Castillo, Miguel Perez and Jose Estrada Jr.). She interrupts their card game and they have a discussion in Spanish. She rubs her fingers to imply there will be money in it for them if they can retrieve the belt. They agree.

Brian Christopher and El Pantera make their way to the ring. We are shown a recap from Shotgun Saturday Night, when Pantera teamed with the Light Heavyweight Champion, Taka Michinoku, against Christopher and Flash Flanagan. Pantera cost his team the match and then turned on Taka. Pantera will challenge Taka for the Light Heavyweight Title on Sunday at No Way Out. Taka Michinoku and Aguila enter.

Taka Michinoku & Aguila VS Brian Christopher & El Pantera

Jim Ross says the WWF has high hopes for the Light Heavyweight Division. Good joke. Aguila and Pantera start it out. They perform some typical Luche Libre flips and arm drags. Pantera gets thrown over the top rope to the floor. Christopher tries to attack Aguila, but is met with a kick to the face. Taka tags in, and he and Aguila send Chrstopher over the top rope to the floor. They botch a double dropkick to Pantera on the apron. Pantera lands on Christopher. Aguila performs a nice corkscrew plancha onto both Christopher and Pantera. Taka follows that up with a springboard plancha. Back in the ring, Pantera takes Taka down with a flying head scissors. Pantera misses a moonsault from the tope rope, but lands on his feet. Jim Ross calls Taka "a wonderful young man." Taka hits a nice dropkick.  Pantera tags in Christopher. Taka ducks a clothesline and hits a spinning heel kick before tagging in Aguila. Christopher reverses and Irish whip into the corner, and ducks a moonsault from the second rope. Christopher facials are, as always, great. Christopher taunts Taka as he hits Aguila with fists. Jim Ross says they will keep us abreast of Chyna and Los Boricuas search for Steve Austin. Christopher hits a full nelson into facebuster as Raw goes to a break. Back from the break, Christopher is still in control. Christopher hits a nice German suplex as Ross hypes No Way Out. Christopher tags in Pantera, who misses a Senton. Aguila makes the tag and Taka takes control with hurricanrana's to both Christopher and Pantera. While the referee is distracted by Pantera, Christopher reaches into his tights and pulls out an object. He swings at Taka, but Taka ducks and hits a side suplex. Pantera grabs the object and puts it in his mask. Pantera tags in (I think he already was the legal man) and headbutts Taka off the top rope for the three count at around 6 minutes. The object falls out of Pantera's mask and Christopher grabs it and stuffs it back into his tights. Taka is out cold.

ANALYSIS: Not bad. Some typical Lucha Libre stuff which I'm not a fan of. Pantera didn't take long turning heel did he? I guess they feel they couldn't have a face VS face match at No Way Out. I don't see why not, the Light Heavyweight Division is all about high spots with little psychology. Pantera got the pin on Taka here, which telegraphs Taka winning on Sunday. *

The WrestleMania press conference is hyped again. Shawn Michaels warns Tyson that he will "knock his teeth out" if he messes with Michaels, and "by the looks of things, he can't afford that."

Raw goes to a break and  when we return, Kane and Paul Bearer make their way to the ring. Jim Ross hypes Kane VS Vader at No Way Out. Kevin Kelly hypes Kane's actions at Royal Rumble. Paul Bearer calls Undertaker's fans "leeches of the night." He says everyone is still in shock from seeing Kane Tombstone piledrive Vader on Raw two weeks ago. We are shown footage of the move. Bearer addresses Vader's attack on Kane with a fire extinguisher last week. Bearer calls the extinguisher a "lethal weapon." We are shown the incident. Bearer says Vader tried to put out Kane's only good eye. Bearer says he's "sick and tired of hearing 'It's time! It's time! It's time!'" Bearer says this Sunday will be time as he hands Kane a clock with Vader's face on it. Bearer tells Kane to "show the world what time it's going to be." Kane sets the clock on fire. Bearer says it's time for Vader to be "snuffed out," just as Bearer snuffs out the fire. Bearer says for anyone that thinks Undertaker will show up, he won't because he is "gone for eternity." We are shown footage of Kane setting Undertaker's casket on fire at Royal Rumble. Bearer and Kane leave as the commentary team hype Vader VS Kane at No Way Out.

Raw goes to a break hyping Ken Shamrock & Chainz VS Faarooq & The Rock next, as well as the WrestleMania press conference. Steve Austin is show warning Tyson that if he gets in Austin's face, there won't be any "$100 million rematch between Tyson and Holyfield" because Austin will "knock Tyson's damn lights out and he won't ever want to get back in the ring." Tyson covers his ears at this.

The Slam Of The Week is The Rock beating Tom Brandi with a Rock Bottom on Shotgun Saturday Night.

We now enter the War Zone. Jerry "The King" Lawler replaces Michael Cole and Kevin Kelly on commentary.

Ken Shamrock and Chainz enter, with 8-Ball, Skull and Ahmed Johnson. Jim Ross hypes the "War Of Attrition" at No Way Out. The Nation Of Domination (Faarooq, The Rock, Kama Mustafa, D'Lo Brown and Mark Henry) enter. There are very loud chants of "Rocky sucks." The Rock grabs a mic and says the world wants to know how he feel about human genetic cloning. The Rock says he's in favour of it "but only if it's done selectively." The Rock says that as he looks out at the audience he sees "absolutely no one worthy of being cloned." The Rock says he's the only person in the entire world worthy of being cloned. Jim Ross wonder what The Rock's parents think of his arrogance.

Ken Shamrock & Chainz (with Skull, 8-Ball & Ahmed Johnson) VS Faarooq & The Rock (with Kama Mustafa, D'Lo Brown & Mark Henry)

Faarooq and Chainz start it out. Chainz hits a clothesline and tags in Shamrock. Shamrock lays in punches and kicks. The Rock tags in and gets caught with a flying kick, followed by clothesline's. The Rock begs off to his corner. Jim Ross pays tribute to Gordon Solie, as Faarooq tags in and gets arm dragged. Chainz tags in. D'Lo grabs Chainz foot, allowing Faarooq to toss him to the outside. The Nation attack Chainz, while Faarooq distracts the referee. A little bit of overkill on the referee distraction tonight. The Nation roll Chainz back into the ring and Faarooq hits a powerslam for a two count. The Rock tags in and lays in boots and fists in the corner. The Rock threatens the referee for breaking up his punches and kicks, allowing Chainz to come out of the corner with punches of his own. The Rock takes control again with a slam and People's Elbow for a two count. Faarooq tags in and works on Chainz back. Chainz catches Faarooq with a knee to the groin. Not a disqualification apparently. Faarooq writhes in pain and tags Rock. Chainz tags in Shamrock. Shamrock cleans house and hits a belly to belly suplex on Faarooq. The Rock breaks up a pinfall attempt. Faarooq wasn't the legal man to be pinning anyway. Chainz chases The Rock and gets caught by The Nation. A brawl erupts between everyone at ringside, as Shamrock hits a hurrincanrana on Faarooq. Shamrock applies the ankle lock. While the referee is distracted by what's happening outside, The Rock enters the ring with a chair and levels Shamrock. Farrooq pins Shamrock for the win at about 4 minutes 30 seconds.

ANALYSIS: An okay match, helping to set the table for the match on Sunday. The Rock and Faarooq worked together well, casting doubt on the split they've been teasing. *

Afterwards, Shamrock 'snaps' and attacks The Nation. The Nation flee. Shamrock belly to belly suplexes the referee. Shamrock's teammates try to calm him down. Shamrock belly to belly suplexes Chainz. 8-Ball, Skull and Ahmed Johnson restrain Shamrock. Shamrock calms down and the four men stand united in the ring. This was well done. Shamrock's 'snapping' was well played and really sold him as a dangerous man.

Raw goes to a break hyping the WrestleMania press conference next. Apparently Tyson is the WrestleMania enforcer.

A short video package airs on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

Countdown to WrestleMania - 7 weeks to go.

Now for the WrestleMania press conference, which took place this past Thursday at the All-Star Cafe in New York City. Jerry Lawler calls it "the biggest press conference to ever take place in New York City." At the press conference we are treated to some Vince McMahon hyperbole. Michael Cole's voice hypes the press coverage. Vince officially announces Mike Tyson as the enforcer of the WWF Title Match between Shawn Michaels VS "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. What that means is Tyson will be outside the ring "in somewhat of a guest referee capacity." Thanks for clearing that up. Austin says he's "busted his ass for 8 years" for this opportunity. Austin tells Michaels that professionally he thinks he's one of the best, but personally he think he's "a big piece of trash." That pretty much sums up everyone's feeling's on Shawn Michaels. Michaels says he "does not lay down for anybody." Again, very true. Vince calls Mike Tyson "the hottest thing in sports." Tyson says the WWF is his life "as of now" and that he was attracted to the WWF because of Bruno Sammartino, because he was quiet; and the Valient Brothers, because they were flamboyant. Michaels mocks the boxers Tyson has beat, putting over wrestlers as being tougher. Michaels was very good here. Austin says he thinks he can beat Tyson. Tyson says "keep dreaming." Austin says he "would love" to face Tyson after he beats Michaels, "with gloves on" because Austin "would beat the hell out of him." Tyson calls Austin an "uncouth imbecile" and says he "can't function with people." Tyson says Austin always wants to hurt or kill somebody and that he should "try loving somebody." That was very funny, especially delivered in Tyson's voice. Austin says the end result is he's going to "open up a can of whoop ass, and Shawn Michaels is going to eat it, one way or another." Michaels says he can "make an ass" out of Austin "anytime he wants."  Michaels and Austin get into a shoving match, with Tyson keeping them apart. We are shown some news reports on the press conference, followed by newspaper clippings.

Man, talk about your big fight feel. Everyone played their part here. Shawn Michaels was very old school in putting over the toughness of wrestlers. Ironic considering he's one of the least tough. Austin was Austin, and Tyson was gold; he genuinely seemed to want to play his part to the best of his ability and not just phone it in.

Raw goes to break and returns with Chyna and Los Boricuas backstage searching for Austin.

Steve Blackman is in the ring doing his glow in the dark kendo stick routine. Recon enters, with Sniper.

Steve Blackman VS Recon (with Sniper)

As the match begins, Kurrgan and The Jackyl's music plays. Jackyl lowers from the ceiling with a pulpit, saying he "sacrifices himself" for the "soiled masses" that "hang on his every word." He says he interrupts this match because of "the systematic smear campaign that the WWF has been involved in from the very beginning." He says he has listened to his sister "cry herself to sleep" after hearing Jim Ross compare Jackyl to "every sociopathic monster who has ever walked the face of the Earth." Jackyl says he is not a sociopath, but a rather "a spiritualist, a philosopher and a poet." He says the WWF fear him because he's "a great leader of men." He says that when he has a mic it's like he's "engaged in intellectual intercourse with the whole audience." He says the WWF fear the "revolution which has begun" and that every week they see more and more of his "Jackylites." In the ring Recon throws Blackman out to the floor and distracts the referee while Sniper cheap shots Blackman and throws him into the ring steps. Jackyl says he has "tried to preach peace" but the WWF only understands "the language of violence," so he and The Truth Commission will "speak that language louder than anybody else." He hypes up what he has done with Recon, Sniper and Kurrgan. He overhypes their achievements. The crowd begin to get restless. Blackman misses an elbow drop off the second rope. Recon misses a dive off the top rope and Blackman applies an arm submission for the win at around 4 minutes.

Jackyl stops droning when he realises his man has lost. Jackyl is furious at Recon and berates him. Recon apologises and gets a slap. Recon threatens to hit Jackyl, who turns his back on Recon and laughs. Recon and Sniper leave. Jackyl shows the peace sign to the camera.

ANALYSIS: It was hard to concentrate on the action in the ring. The whole Jackyl hippy, Charles Manson thing was just baffling. Unique, but baffling. 1/4*

Jim Ross hypes the Superstar line, saying a former great NWA Champion is negotiating with Jim Cornette to join the NWA.

The WWF Tag Team Champions, the New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) enter. They reminisce about last weeks dumpster incident with Mick Foley and Terry Funk. It's strange that this is the first mention tonight of such a hot angle that took place only a week before. The N.A.O. say since they had so much fun last week they should do it again. They wheel out a dumpster. James comically describes the dumpster like it's a plane. We are shown the incident from last week with James mock crying. He says that from the crash there were only two survivors - Captain Dogg and his co-pilot Captain Ass.

The N.A.O. decide to relive the incident and push the dumpster off the stage. Two dummies dresses as Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie fall out of it. Jim Ross mocks the N.A.O., saying they're "getting ratings" and "getting over." Gunn and James perform CPR on the dummies. Jim Ross hypes Foley and Funk "getting their hands" on the N.A.O. on Sunday. James says if there is "anything left" of Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie, the N.A.O. will "sweep the remains under the rug at No Way Out." Jim Ross doesn't think so. We are shown a replay of the dumpster flying off the stage from the perspective of a camera inside the dumpster. This whole segment was quite amusing. There were some crude sex and dummy jokes, but James and Gunn (particularly James) were funnier at this than Shawn Michaels and Triple H. James had unbelievable charisma.

Jim Ross says "Austin's what?" as Raw goes to a break. Another promo for No Way Out on pay-per-view airs, again focusing on the Eight Man Tag Match main event.

Chyna and Los Boricuas are still searching for Steve Austin. Austin locks Los Boricuas in a room backstage and taunts them. Chyna is furious.

TAFKA Goldust enters with "Marvelous" Marc Mero, Luna Vachon and Sable. Mero is dressed as Marilyn Manson again. Sable plays to the crowd. Jim Ross wonders how Sable, "as nice as she is," can co-exist with the others. The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) enter. Jim Ross announces that The Headbangers will face Goldust and Mero on Sunday at No Way Out. Sable waves at Thrasher, which ticks Mero off. Mero orders Sable to go backstage. There is a large Sable chant.

Thrasher (with Mosh) VS TAFKA Goldust (with "Marvelous" Marc Mero, Luna Vachon & Sable)

Goldust hits an arm drag. Thrasher replies with a hip toss. Goldust takes control with punches and an Irish whip into the corner. Thrasher catches Goldust with a back body drop, followed by a clothesline. Goldust slides out of the ring for a respite. Jim Ross hypes No Way Out. The crowd chant for Sable. Thrasher nails Goldust with a springboard reverse elbow, knocking him off the apron and onto the floor. Luna distracts the referee, allowing Mosh to cheap shot Goldust, which make no sense. Goldust low blows Thrasher and nails a big clothesline. Goldust throws Thrasher out to the floor and drops him across the guard rail. Mero and Luna cheap shot Thrasher. Back in the ring, Goldust wipes the lipstick off his lips and rubs it on Thrasher's face. Goldust hits a slam, followed by an elbow drop from the second rope. Thrasher ducks a clothesline and hits a cross body block for a two count. Goldust goes back to work with fists. Thrasher ducks another clothesline, thwarts a sunset flip, and hits a clothesline. Thrasher runs the ropes and is tripped by Luna. Sable enters again and argues with Luna. Goldust confronts Sable and gets a slap for his troubles. Thrasher cradles Goldust for the three count at around 5 minutes.

Luna pushes Sable and Sable slaps her. The crowd goes crazy. Luna cries as Goldust comforts her. Jim Ross says that this Sunday "Sable and Luna must somehow co-exist."

ANALYSIS: Mediocre action. Sable was undoubtedly the star in this one, and this was a big step towards her split with Mero. It also sets up a filler match for No Way Out. Another TV loss for Goldust. That's becoming quite the habit.*

Backstage, Chyna has rejoined Shawn Michaels and Triple H. Ross says they are on their way to the ring as Raw goes to a break.

DX enter. Michaels says that he won't wait until Sunday night to take back his WWF Championship belt. He says he will "whup" Austin's ass at No Way Out, but that Austin has what "belongs to him." Michaels says Austin wanted Michaels to come to the ring and take it back, well now Michaels "is right here and he's ready to take his gold back." Michaels says since Austin wanted Michaels to ask politely, he will. Michaels says, "get your ass out here, please," adding the "please" in a sarcastic tone.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin enters, carrying the WWF Championship belt. Austin chases DX out of the ring, swinging the belt as a weapon. The New Age Outlaws enter. Austin keeps everyone at bay outside the ring by swinging the belt. A chainsaw noise can be heard. As Austin is concentrating on DX and the N.A.O., Chyna is able to grab the belt.

Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie cut their way up through the ring with Charlie's chainsaw.

Owen Hart enters the ring and a mini-brawl ensues between Austin, Hart, Charlie and Cactus and the N.A.O. DX flee up the entranceway. The N.A.O. eventually escape too. Michaels taunts Austin with the WWF Championship belt. Raw goes off the air with Jim Ross hyping No Way Out.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Not a bad go home show. The main event has been brought to the boil nicely, and a couple of filler matches have been added. I like that even the filler gets a little bit of TV storyline advancement, something that doesn't happen enough these days. The February pay-per-view is always a hard one to sell because everyone is hyped for WrestleMania; but I'm as about intrigued to see No Way Out as I could be.